Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Ingredients of a Living Spiritual Path -- Seven Gnostic-Sant Mat Parallels“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” (Rumi) With
a living mystic path, initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of
Heaven includes inner direct seeing and hearing. If we can't see or
hear, how could we possibly begin exploring Inner Space for ourselves?
The information written in restaurant menus might be informative and yet
can not resolve one's hunger. And tales in sacred texts of people who
once enjoyed glorious feasts centuries ago does not feed the living. "When
we see darkness with our eyes closed we are in the realm of death and
re-birth [we are unaware of our true nature.]. When we come out of the
realm of darkness and enter into the realm of Light, we will at the same
time transcend the web of death. It is not possible that we can remain
in darkness and be free from the net of birth and death. Having achieved
inner Light, we can be liberated from the cycle of birth and death."
(Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, Harmony of All Religions)In
the Corpus Hermeticum and Nag Hammadi scriptures are/were described all
of the ingredients of a living, viable mystical path: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/ingredients-of-a-living-spiritual-path-seven-gnostic-sant-mat-parallels-f55cb5715c8e#.r00rrogoe1)
living masters/teachers with students (past masters, scrolls, cuneiform
tablets or old scriptures are not enough: a living guide is required);“Rumi says, ‘If you seek to know God, sit at the feet of the Saints’”.“People,
where are you rushing, so intoxicated and having so fully drunk the
strong wine of reasoning unaccompanied by acquaintance? You cannot hold
it; already you are about to throw it up. Stop, get sober! Look up with
the eyes of the mind [heart or soul] – and if you cannot all do so, at
least those of you who can! For the imperfection that comes from
unacquaintance is flooding the entire earth, corrupting the soul along
with the body that encloses it and preventing it from putting in at the
Haven of Safety. So do not be swept away by the main current! Rather,
you who can must avail yourselves of a counter-current, take to the
Haven of Safety, put in there, and look for a leader to show you the way
to the Doors of Gnosis (Acquaintance), where there is bright Light,
pure from darkness; where no one is intoxicated, but all are sober,
fixing their eyes on that Being who wills to be seen – but mentally
[with the eye of the soul], for that Being cannot be heard or told of or
seen by eyes, only by the mind’s eye [the eye of the soul].” (Hermetic Tractate VII, Corpus Hermeticum: The Greatest Human Evil is Unacquaintance With God, Bentley Layton translation)2) a cosmology of several heavens/inner regions/planes/spheres;Charts of the Heavens — Inner Regions — Planes — Spheres of Creation According to Sant Mat: https://medium.com/sant-mat-radhasoami-books/9132697adaa7“Blessed
are those chosen and unified. The Realm of the Kingdom is theirs. For
out of her you have come, and back to her you are returning.” (Saying
49, Gospel of Thomas, Wisdom of the Twin, Lynn Bauman translation)Summarizing the Spiritual Message of the Gospel of Thomas, See: https://medium.com/gnostic-studies-living-gnosis-now/summarizing-the-spiritual-message-of-the-gospel-of-thomas-by-james-bean-90862170ac8a#.fzn0buzcv3)
an understanding that souls can access these realms here and now during
this present life (a present-tense Kingdom of Heaven available to souls
right now, not a spirituality postponed till some magical date on a
calendar or hypothesized future age);"In this life the concept of salvation all describe; To meet the Lord by dying while living, none discloses. They all speak of the goal of salvation after death; How to attain it while living, no one says. Were they to reveal the method of attaining release while living, Then alone would Tulsi be convinced of their words. Who speak, after seeing with their own eyes, and teach the method of salvation during life, Are of the stage and stature of Saints, for they reveal the quintessence of the soul."("Seek To See God Now -- Liberation During This Life" -- Mystic-Poem of Tulsi Sahib) 4) an initiation into the mysteries of the heavens, imparting to spiritual seekers the meditation techniques and sacred names;The Master said,“What your own eyes cannot see, your human ears do not hear, your physical hands cannot touch, and what is inconceivable to the human mind — that I will give to you!”(Saying 17, Gospel of Thomas, Wisdom of the Twin, Lynn Bauman translation); 5)
visionary and auditory mysticism (inner Light and Sound, spiritual
seeing and hearing) -- descriptions of souls traveling within through
various inner regions;“Man’s
soul shall become, when it leaveth the body, a great flood of Light, so
as to traverse all the regions until it cometh into the Kingdom of
Mystery… Seek, all of you, after the Light, so that the power of your
soul that is in you may find Life. Do not cease seeking day or night
until you find the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Light, which will purify
you, transform you into pure Light, and guide you into the Kingdom of
the Light.” (Gospel of Faith-Wisdom — Pistis Sophia)“Look
at God within yourself, how ‘God is Light.’ For his Nature is a
glorious, many-splendored Light. He manifests the Light of his Nature to
those who love Him in all the worlds…” (John of Dalyatha, Syriac
Mystic)"When
your eye turns inwards in the brain and you see the firmament within,
and your spirit leaves the body and rises upwards, you will see the
Akash in which is located Sahas-dal-kanwal, the thousand petals of which
perform the various functions pertaining to the three worlds. Its
effulgence will exhilarate your spirit." (Soamiji Maharaj, "Esoteric
Instructions")"At
first, Mataji pointed out, there will be only darkness but eventually
light will appear in the form of either small flashes or small star-like
points. In any case, one should focus on the radiance, keeping one’s
simran intact and allowing the light to draw the soul inward. The third
and most important step, Mataji said, is to listen to the sound that
issues forth from the light. It is this internal music which will numb
the body and allow the consciousness to leave its ordinary dwelling. By
riding this current of light and sound, like a fish going upstream, the
soul will be able to go back to its original home. On the journey
within, however, the soul must be guided by a true master so as not to
be detained in any of the lower illusory regions. According to Mataji,
what near-death patients experience is only the beginning of a vast
sojourn into great universes of light, love and beauty." -- Yogani
Mataji: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/the-teachings-of-yogani-mataji-radhaswami-satsang-hoshiarpur-71cfc9f63223#.1eq9lmbuw“…Listen
to the Sound that issues forth from the Light.” (Some valuable guidance
about correct and proper Surat Shabd Yoga practice made by Yogani
Mataji.)“I am the silence that is incomprehensible.I am the Voice whose Sound is manifoldand the Word whose appearance is multiple…I am the hearing which can be attained by everyone.”(Thunder: Perfect Mind, Nag Hammadi Library)See,
The Yoga of Sound — Exploring Sound Meditation (Auditory Mysticism,
Surat Shabd Yoga) in the Sacred Texts of the Great World Religions and
Gnostic Traditions: https://santmatradhasoami.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/the-yoga-of-sound-exploring-sound-meditation-auditory-mysticism-surat-shabd-yoga-in-the-sacred-texts-of-the-great-world-religions-and-gnostic-traditions-tuning-the-cosmic-radio-dial6) they have an ethical code, and this ethical foundation includes a vegetarian diet, then and now; "In Sant Mat all Masters have decried killing and meat-eating." (Sant Tulsi Sahib, "Ghat Ramayan")“As
long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living
beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre
animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of
murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.” (Pythagoras)Uncovering A Vegetarian Jesus at the Beginning of Christianity: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/uncovering-a-vegetarian-jesus-at-the-beginning-of-christianity-9279741be7c4#.taipg75yt7) The Goal of the teachings and meditation practice is experiencing direct union with God;"Within this body breathes the secret essence. Within this body beats the heart of the Vedas. Within this body shines the entire Universe, so the saints say. Hermits, ascetics, celibates all are lost seeking Him in endless guises. Seers and sages perfectly parrot the scriptures and holy books, blinded by knowledge. Their pilgrimage, and fasting, and striving but delude Despite their perfect practice, they discover no destination. Only the Saints who know the body's heart have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi. Realize this, and you've found your freedom (while teachers trapped in tradition know only the mirage in the mirror)."("Within This Body" -- Mystic-Poem of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras) “The
center-most part of your being — THERE is the Supreme Region. It is the
sacred temple of the Spirit.” (Miguel Molinos, "The Spiritual Guide")

Saturday, May 14, 2016

"Ram" -- Kabir's and Namdev's Primary Simran Word or Mantra Name For the Formless God, by James BeanOver time, in different branches of the Sant tradition of India, various sacred mantra names or simran words are used. The name "Ram" was used by Guru Kabir and other classic or early Sants such as Namdev. "Satya-Ram" is the sacred name used by the followers of Sant Dadu Dayal of Rajasthan. There is a tradition of the Guru Mantra phrase and five Sach Khand or heavenly level names of God used in the Sant Dharam Das path. The Panch Naam or Five Names are sacred words corresponding to various inner regions used by Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras and some of those connected with him. Others associated with Sant Tulsi Sahib and successors use another charged name for God. In the Radhasoami Faith there is Radhasoami Naam -- the manifestation of the name Radhasoami -- that begins with Soamiji Maharaj and Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram Bahadur of Agra.Mystic Verses of Guru KabirVerbal Chant: "Let Your Tongue Say 'Ram'""Kabir says,To receive true life,devote yourself to Hari [God].Narayana's [God's] name is a pillar;let your tongue say 'Ram."Manas Jap or Mental Chant: "Repeat Ram's Name in Your Heart""Kabir says,You cannot call anyone your own;repeat Ram's name in your heartall the time.""Kabir says, Those who want to solve the riddlewill know all if they repeat 'Ram'.""Kabir says,forget not Ram's name;let body and wealth go,if they must.Dedicate your heartto His flower-like feet,and be absorbed in Ram's name."("Songs of Kabir from theAdi Granth", translated byNirmal Dass, SUNY Press, NY)Sing and Repeat the Name of Ram [God] -- The Mystic Bhakti Poetry of Sant NamdevSant Namdev, 1270-1350 -- some of his verses are included in the Adi Granth (Guru Granth of the Sikhs). There is a collection known as the Shri Namdev Gathas, and, what’s quoted below is from the Padavali of Namdev.There are four essential books to explore if you’re interested in learning about the Sant Mat of Namdev -- the Teachings of this Saint: "Sant Namdeva -- The Facts of His Religious Ideology", by O.P. Ralhan, Anmol Publications, New Delhi; 2) "Saint Namdev", J.R. Puri and V.K. Sethi, a volume in the Mystics of the East Series, published by the Beas Radhasoami Satsang; 3) The Sikh Scriptures online at Sikhs.org or other translations of the Sikh Gurbani; and, 4) "The Hindi Padavali of Namdev -- A Critical Edition of Namdev's Hindi Songs with Translation and Annotation" (Hindi and English), by Winand Callewaert, from Motilal Barnarsidass Publishers, Delhi, which I’ve used below.The sacred simran/mantra name "Ram", used by Namdev as a name for the Formless Supreme Lord of Love, appears often in the mystic verses of not only Namdev, but also Kabir, all throughout the Adi Granth, in the hymns of Ravidas, Dadu, and countless other Sants of India.It is the power of love (prem) and devotion (bhakti) that brings the wandering mind to focus (pratyahara) and holds one’s attention at the Third Eye center during meditation (dharana during Surat Shabd Yoga). One is permeated by love repeating God’s name or names, beholding the Light within, and during bhajan (listening to the inner Sound), also considered an act of worship in traditional Sant Mat mysticism.Words of God-Bhakti, Light and Love from Sant Namdev54God [Hari] is my companionin life and death.Hari, who rescuedthe drowning creature.Hari, the Giver of joyis always with me.I am immersed inthe name of Harisays Namdev.55What can you loseif you singRam [God]?Sing that namesleeping or waking.The glory of that name saved Dhruvand Prahladwho meditated on the mantraRam.Sanak and otherscherished the namethe name Ramwhich grants freedom.This is my messagesays Namdev'What you receiveis what you desire'.56Sing the nameRamthe state of nirvana.Your tongue lies idlewhat better can it do?Service.Worship.Remembrance.Meditation.All are falsewithout God.Fastspilgrimagesserve worldly goalsthey are empty without faith.These regular fastsare worldly effortsthey are like a ladderdiscardedwhen the citadel is scaled.My heart lies at Your feetYou are my refugesays Namdev.57Dwell on Rambrotherlike the caterpillarmeditatingin the cocoon.The Lord has allshapes.He is the master ofeverything.He lives withinall.A worm or a mothwhatever moves or is stillRam is witheveryone.